British Boxer In Coma With Bleeding On The Brain Following Title Fight Loss

LONDON (CBSNewYork/AP) — British middleweight boxer Nick Blackwell remains in an induced coma following his title defeat to Chris Eubank Jr. on Saturday.

The 25-year-old fighter suffered bleeding on the brain after the fight was stopped in the 10th round. The stoppage came after a ringside doctor advised the referee that Blackwell was unable to see through his left eye.

He was carried out of the venue on a stretcher after collapsing.

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith said it’s a wait-and-see game with Blackwell’s health.

“He’s in intensive care, he’s in an induced coma and he is resting and being looked after by the experts,” Smith said.

He continued, “It’s a very normal procedure. They put you in a coma to get the swelling to go down. There’s no time-scale. Now it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing.”

Eubank said after the fight the referee should have stopped it sooner.

“I was hitting him with some big shots and the referee saw fit to let the fight go on. Looking back now, maybe he should have stopped it earlier,” Eubank said, according to The Guardian.

Eubank said on Twitter Sunday that his “thoughts and prayers” are with Blackwell.

Unfortunately Nick is now in an induced coma… my thoughts & prayers go out to his family & friends.